Dr Angelos P. Kassianos | PhD

Angelos Kassianos holds the position of Lecturer in Health Psychology at the Department of Nursing of the Cyprus University of Technology since January 2022 and is the Director of the Behavioral Science in Health – BSiH lab (www.bsihlab.com). He holds a degree in Psychology (BSc, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens, 2007) with postgraduate and doctoral studies in Health Psychology at the University of Surrey in the UK (2013). During his PhD, he also worked for 3 months in 2012 as an Intern at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva.

In 2016, he was a guest speaker at the European Parliament to talk about e-health and the use of mobile applications. In 2017, he emerged as one of the top young European innovative researchers to receive the US Young Transatlantic Innovation Leadership Initiative (YTILI) Scholarship from the US Department of State and in 2018 received the European Health Psychology Society (EHPS) Young Researcher Award. In 2020 he was honored with the Young Researcher Award in the Social Sciences and Humanities by the Cyprus Research and Innovation Foundation.

His research interests extend to a wide range of applications of behavioral sciences in health and public health using a mixed methodology (quantitative, qualitative, meta-analysis). His research falls on the development and evaluation of innovative intervention programs using technology, on understanding the determinants of health-related behaviors such as vaccination, breastfeeding, exercise and smoking, adherence to pharmacotherapy and psycho-oncology. He also investigates teaching clinical reasoning skills through interactive tools using online patient simulations.

He is a member of various committees, such as the European Health Psychology Society where he has been the National Representative of Cyprus since 2015 and a member of the Executive Committee since 2022, the Prevention and Intervention Board of the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA) where he represents the Cyprus Psychologists Association.

Dr Angus Thomson | PhD

Angus Thomson is Principal of Irimi, a behavioural design organisation working in public health with a particular focus on immunization. He is also Adjunct Clinical Professor, Department of Communication Studies, Indiana University School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI, USA. Angus was previously Senior Social Scientist for the Demand for Immunization team at UNICEF HQ. Dr. Thomson has conceived and helped build a number of global vaccine demand programs including the Vaccination Demand Observatory, the International Pediatrics Association Vaccine Trust Project, a program of psychological inoculation against vaccine misinformation, and an international collaboration which validated the use of context-driven vaccine messaging on online platforms. He co-authored the UNICEF Vaccine Misinformation Management Field Guide (15,000+ downloads) and the Vaccine Messaging Guide.

He is a technical expert on vaccine demand and uptake for organisations like UNICEF and the World Bank, and speaks with the media, including CNN, the BBC and El Pais, on the subject.

Angus has published over 30 peer-reviewed opinion pieces, research papers, and book chapters on vaccine confidence and coverage, and co-edited an 18-paper Special Issue on Vaccine Confidence in Vaccine. He lectures on Vaccine Confidence for the VaxinLive Masters Program in Lyon.

Professor Irena Bralić | MD, PhD

Professor Irena Bralić brings extensive clinical and academic expertise in paediatric healthcare as an Associate Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Split, board member and treasurer of the Croatian Paediatrics Society and project lead of the Croatian Ministry of Science research initiative into growth and obesity during puberty.

She has significantly contributed to scientific literature, with published textbooks such as “Prevention of Diseases in Childhood” and “Vaccination and Vaccines.” These works underscore her comprehensive understanding of early health interventions and vaccinations. Furthermore, her popular handbook, “How to Grow Up Healthy,” attests to her commitment to empowering parents with knowledge about their children’s health.

Her notable accomplishments focus on preventive programs and vaccinations provide invaluable insight into child and adolescent health.

Professor Paolo Bonanni | MD, PhD

Professor Paolo Bonanni, a recognised authority in Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, serves as Professor of Hygiene at the University of Florence, Italy. His vast educational background includes a degree in Medicine and Surgery and two specialisations in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine from the University of Genoa, Italy.

Prof. Bonanni’s influence extends beyond academia to include positions in prominent health organisations. He serves as a member of the Italian Ministry of Health’s National Vaccination Commission, an expert consultant for the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and an advisor on the Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board. Additionally, he contributes to the WHO Europe Technical Group of Experts on Immunisation. His numerous successful grants and leadership roles in EU-funded vaccination projects testify to his impact and dedication to infectious disease prevention.

Dr Mihai Craiu | MD, PhD

Physician, Carol Davila Medical University of Bucharest

Dr. Mihai Craiu, a renowned paediatrician with an extensive clinical background, an unwavering commitment to paediatrics, and an innovative approach to communication and education.

He is president of the National Society of Paediatric Respiratory Diseases in Romania and a a board member of several national and international professional societies. His clinical experience spans various medical environments globally, including Emergency Departments, Intensive Care Units, and Respiratory Disease Units in Romania, the USA and The Netherlands.

Dr Craiu has pioneered the “Spitalul Virtual de Copii,” a social media educational project that has engaged over 291,000 followers. This initiative, lauded for revolutionising education and communication in Romania, earned him accolades at the COPAC 2017 Gala, the 2018 European Communication Contest Vaccines Champions 2018, BORO Communication 2020 and WHO Europe 2021.

Ms Gertraud Dayé | BSc

Former Board Member, Vienna UN NGO Committee on Ageing

Ms Gertraud Daye, a former member of the UN NGO Committee on Ageing Board in Austria, brings an inspiring commitment to the well-being of older adults, senior advocacy experience and expertise in public health, ageing and research. She started advocating for older adults in 1976 at the European Federation of Older Persons (EURAG). Alongside her advocacy work, she contributed to social work education at the Universities of Applied Sciences in Graz, Austria, and Ravensburg-Weingarten., Germany.

She served twice as Chair of the Vienna NGO Committee on Ageing and represented NGOs in the Bureau of the UNECE Working Group on Ageing in Geneva. Additionally, she held positions as the Regional Coordinator of the Austrian Representation of Interest of Informal Carers (IG Pflegende Angehörige) and Chair of ASSG (Aktive Seniorinnen und Senioren Graz). She is still actively advocating for older adults as an expert.

Kateryna Denysova | MSc

Member ofof the Young Coalition for Prevention and Vaccination and Infectious Diseases Project Management Specialist at the USAID

Kateryna Denysova is an Infectious Diseases Project Management Specialist at the USAID
Regional Mission to Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus covering extensive tuberculosis, global
health security and COVID-19 portfolios. Before joining USAID in 2020, she worked in the
United Nations Development Programme and WHO Representation to the EU in Belgium. She has made significant contributions to global health and health governance, with an MSc in Public Health from the University of Porto (Portugal) and additional training in health innovations from the University of Grenoble (France). She is currently completing a PhD in Governance and Policy Analysis in The United Nations University – Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (UNU-MERIT). Kateryna speaks Ukrainian, Russian, English, Polish, and Portuguese.

Dr Sally Hargreaves | PhD

Associate Professor in Global Health, Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George’s Hospital, University of London

Sally Hargreaves heads the Migrant Health Research Group at St George’s, University of London. With over two decades of expertise in constructing and evaluating complex healthcare interventions, Hargreaves has held numerous research, consultancy, and lecturing roles. She is the Principal Investigator on various grants, most notably an NIHR Advanced Fellowship focused on crafting strategies to provide catch-up vaccination to adult migrants via primary care.

Dr Hargreaves plays a critical role in global health affairs, serving as an Advisor to the WHO, ECDC and the UCL-Lancet Commission on Migration and Health. Her contributions involve key dialogues and policymaking around promoting Universal Health Coverage and overcoming health barriers in migrant populations.

Professor Javier Diez-Domingo | MD

Scientific Director, The Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region (FISABIO)

Professor Javier Diez-Domingo, a paediatrician and current Director of the Vaccine Research Department at FISABIO in Valencia, Spain, brings a wealth of vaccine research expertise. He has been the principal investigator in over 40 clinical trials encompassing Phases I to IV, participating in developing various vaccines, including HPV, PCV, quadrivalent influenza vaccines, coronavirus and RSV. His department focuses on real-world data projects and modelling the impact of different vaccines and diseases in Valencia, Spain.

Diez-Domingo’s team is currently involved in post-authorization surveillance of new coronavirus vaccines. He is also coordinating two H2020 projects: i-CONSENT, aimed at making informed consent more understandable, and DRIVE, focused on influenza vaccine effectiveness in Europe.

Dr Rajeka Lazarus | PhD

Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Microbiology & Co-director Bristol Vaccine Centre, University of Bristol

Dr. Rajeka Lazarus leads adult vaccine research at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Trust and is the Deputy Director of the Bristol Clinical Research Facility. As a practising hospital doctor with over 20 years of clinical experience, Rajeka has developed expertise in the management of tuberculosis, critical care infection, and antimicrobial stewardship. With a decade-long association with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), she has engaged in significant public health work, from outbreak support to vaccination.

Professor Carlo Signorelli | MD, PhD

Professor at the University of Parma and the University Vita-Salute San Raffaele of Milan

Professor Carlo Signorelli is a prominent figure in public health who brings a broad spectrum of expertise in public health, epidemiology, environmental health, health organisation, and policy development. He is a Professor at the University of Parma and the University Vita-Salute San Raffaele of Milan and a director of the Post-Graduate School in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine.

He has held several leadership roles as an expert in hygiene, infectious disease and vaccination, influencing decision-making at European and national levels. Past roles include President of the Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health (Sltl), Treasurer of the European Public Health Association (EUPHA), Member of the Executive Board of The Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER), Mayor of Perledo and Councillor for environmental policies of the Province of Lecco. Prof. Signorelli is part of Italy’s National and Regional Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAG and RITAG), where he contributes to decisions on new vaccine introductions and immunisation strategies.

In addition, Professor Signorelli has authored 40 educational books and approximately 200 scientific papers. He serves as Section Editor for two scientific journals and is a reviewer for various International Journals of Epidemiology and Public Health.

Wilma Witkamp

President, Nederlandse Meningitis Stichting, Zwijndrecht, Netherlands

Ms Wilma Witkamp’s multifaceted skills and comprehensive understanding of strategic communication in public health and vaccination are invaluable. She has a rich communications background across government, non-profit, vaccine and biotechnology sectors. She has internal and external communication, public relations, website development, social media, and event management expertise.

Currently serving as a Communication Advisor at Poonawalla Science Park and chair of Nederlandse Meningitis Stichting, she has repeatedly demonstrated her proficiency in conveying critical health information to a broad audience.

Prof. Maria Gańczak, MD, PhD

Prof. Maria Gańczak, MD, PhD is an epidemiologist, infectious disease specialist, internist, head of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the University of Zielona Góra, Poland, the vice-president of the Infectious Disease Control Section of the EUPHA – second term, and the Board member of the Polish Society of Public Health. She is the author/co-author of academic textbooks and over 120 scientific publications and promotes preventive behaviour in domestic and foreign media. She completed scientific internships at Karolinska Institutet, UAE University and the University of British Columbia; she cooperates with the University of Groningen. Currently, she is the country coordinator of the EU funded research project RIVER-EU (Reducing Inequalities in Vaccine uptake in the European Region – Engaging Underserved communities) which aims to improve access to HPV vaccination among Ukrainian migrant/refugee children.